By KT Reporter
Inzu Yamasaba Cultural Institution has called on the government to expedite the relocation of people affected by recent landslides in five sub-counties, including Bunambutye, Sisi, and Simu in Bulambuli district, to safer areas.
The appeal was made by Vicente Waboya, Minister for Disaster at Inzu Yamasaba and former Budadiri East MP in Sironko District, during a visit to internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in Bulambuli. The camps currently house victims displaced by last week’s devastating landslides that claimed dozens of lives.
Waboya visited the camps to assess the living conditions of the displaced families. He expressed concern over the overcrowding in the camps, warning that such conditions could lead to social problems like rape, defilement, and incest.
He noted that the victims are suffering from a lack of clean water, insufficient food, and poor sanitation. Waboya announced that Inzu Yamasaba would compile a report on the findings to share with the government and other well-wishers for further support.
According to Waboya, Prime Minister Robina Nabbanja had earlier assured victims during her visit to Buluganya Sub-county that the government would relocate them permanently to the Bunambutye relocation site or provide cash assistance to help them find alternative land.
However, he expressed disappointment that no progress has been made since the visit, leaving families stranded in overcrowded camps. On Tuesday, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni ordered the Ministry of Finance to fast-track the release of Shs 50 billion to support the relocation of people living in disaster-prone areas in Bulambuli.
The funds will be used to facilitate the purchase of additional land in Bunambutye settlement and provide financial assistance for victims to acquire alternative land in safer areas. Rogers Taitika, the Elgon Region Police Spokesperson, confirmed that 30 bodies have so far been recovered from the mud following last week’s landslides-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
